I think most any dog can swim just fine once the panic wears off
At our last house I took my hairless chihuahua in the pool and she swam just fine even though she never swam in all her 11 years.
So true Scott.
Dogs seem to be naturally able to swim.
Rupert swims often, and is a strong swimmer. This though was sheer panic when things went wrong. He seemed a little bit off for 20 minutes or so after reaching shore, then he was back to his normal self.
I will say if anyone does plan to get a Great Dane, please do your research first, and truly understand what you are about to get yourself into.
While I personally can't imagine ever not have a Dane or two or three in my home, they all come with a few genetic factors to consider. Bloat is a very serious condition and they are prone to it, and it is fatal. They really should be calmed down for a while before they get fed, and made to remain calm for a while after eating. They have a tendency as a puppy to gorge eat as well, and it takes a while to teach some to slow down and not make themselves sick. You may need to buy a food ball instead of a dish for their main food. They really do need a special food, and even as a puppy shouldn't be fed puppy food. They need a high protein, low fat, low sodium and phosphorus food. Meat is important in their diet, Rupert is fed a fair amount of meat, some vegetables and such, not just dog food. He took 6 months to train to slow down how he ate too fast. They have anxiety issues if left alone, so if you want a breed of dog you can just leave home all day and go to work or whatever, don't get a Dane. They are highly intelligent, so if you don't want a dog that sees you do something 3 or 4 times and has it figured out, a dane isn't the dog for you.
Rupert can open a door, he gets how to turn the handle and pull. He can open a car door like a human can or faster, I had to replace my fridge with one that doesn't have an ice dispenser on the front, because he loved ice and would push the tab in and cover the floor in ice cubes, then push them all over the house and eat a few. Most just melted and then the floors were soaked. Nothing is really out of reach if they are determined to get it, they probably will.
Drawers, cupboards, closets, the fridge, all are easily opened by a Dane.
They have a tendency to have hip and knee problems, so be aware of that.
As puppies they grow insanely fast, it is nothing for them to gain 5 lbs a week or more in a growth spurt week, and they need a lot of food, and tons of sleep as a puppy to grow so fast. Bringing home a 25 pound pup who is only 9 weeks old is normal, and they can be 90 to 100 lbs by 6 months. They actually can still grow slightly even after 2 years old, but those first 15 months are rather insane to see the growth.
As a puppy you must not exercise them too hard, no long runs, etc. You will destroy their long dangly legs if you run them hard till about a year and a half old.
And lastly they are fiercely loyal and thus protective. While a calm breed, and generally not aggressive, they can be aggressive if they feel their momma or poppa is in danger, and docile or not, if they go into protective mode, they are an incredible force you do not want to mess with. They are way faster than they should be for their size, their mouths are huge, and them jaws are beyond powerful. Something in them seems to naturally know to go for the throat, and they have no problem with a slight front leg bounce grabbing a tall man by the throat if they want to, and they can take a big man down. Originally bred to hunt tough animals like wild boars and such, I think that the slightest trace of that DNA still exists naturally in them. I watch Rupert around new people he doesn't know, for signs that he isn't happy with them. I warn people who he doesn't seem comfortable with to be very calm and quiet, because I have no doubt that if they then exhibited an aggressive attitude, he would take them down to protect me from what he views as a potential threat. I doubt that many people could fight off an angry 170 plus pound dog determined to protect the people who they love.
So while I love Danes, and think they are awesome, just food for thought to anyone who is contemplating getting a great dane to add to their family.